Paralegal Hourly Pay in Springfield, MO: $24.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Springfield, MO runs $24.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,937 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Springfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.6, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,564 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Springfield, Missouri, paralegals earn a median hourly pay of $24.49, which is significantly lower than the national median of $31.30. This hourly rate has considerable implications for both part-time and per-diem workers within various legal settings, such as law firms, corporate legal departments, and remote e-discovery reviews. With an hourly range spanning from $19.36 for entry-level positions to $43.31 for experienced professionals, paralegals in Springfield can have diverse earning potentials based on their role and experience. Such figures are derived from 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, reflecting the current financial landscape for paralegals in the region.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.36 | $154.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.16 | $185.24 |
| Median (P50) | $24.49 | $195.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.67 | $253.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.31 | $346.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Springfield
Based on $24.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.49/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Springfield, MO can expect to earn approximately $50,940 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,389. With a cost-of-living index of 88.58 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Springfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Springfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $979.62 | $4,245 | $50,940 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $587.77 | $2,547 | $30,564 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $391.85 | $1,698 | $20,376 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Springfield) | $24.49 |
| Lawyer (National Avg) | $81.25 |
| Legal Secretary (National Avg) | $26.86 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
| Title Examiner / Abstractor (National Avg) | $29.85 |
Paralegals in Springfield, MO earn a median of $50,937 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.75% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 0.20% below the Missouri state average of $51,039.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.49/hr = $30,564/year (purchasing power: $34,503).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,940/year (purchasing power: $57,504).
CoL index: 88.585 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Springfield grew 35.5% from $17.46/hr (2019) to $23.66/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.35/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem paralegals can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springfield metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.51% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Paralegal in Springfield
Considering part-time work, a paralegal working three days a week at 24 hours could take home approximately $30,542 annually, compared to a full-time peer earning upwards of $50,937. For those pursuing per-diem or contract positions, rates are often more lucrative; many agencies or firms bill $25 to $60 per hour for specialized tasks like e-discovery, while some freelance corporate paralegals can command pay between $40 and $75 per hour. Hourly rates vary widely based on employer type in Springfield, with BigLaw firms typically offering higher wages but demanding more hours compared to corporate or government positions, which may offer steadier hours and benefits. This trade-off must be carefully considered by paralegals, who might opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance and job security versus higher hourly compensation without benefits in contract roles. Awareness of local market rates and negotiating skills can greatly benefit hourly workers in their career decisions.
More salary data for Springfield, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Tran, JD
Career Analyst
Jessica Tran has 10 years of experience in paralegal studies. She specializes in corporate law and works with a law firm. She trains new paralegals in legal research and documentation.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for paralegals in Springfield. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.51%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for paralegals (SOC 23-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov